Friday, November 14, 2008

Live at KSC: Hatch closed; weather improves












The Air Force has raised the weather forecast to an 80 percent chance of weather favorable for launch.

The hatch of Endeavour has been closed. The crew's radios have been checked, and the crew is waiting for launch. The closeout crew has performed cabin leak checks, gathered their tools and are preparing to leave the closeout room.

A T-38 weather reconnaissance plane, flown by Chief Astronaut Steve Lindsey, is surveying weather in the area.

The launch is scheduled for 7:55 p.m. The launch team reports no issues.

On a 15-day mission to the International Space Station, Endeavour's crew of seven will perform four spacewalks to repair the 10-foot joint that turns the starboard solar panel toward the sun. The shuttle will also deliver a second bathroom and about 15,000 pounds of supplies.

Chris Ferguson commands the crew, which includes Pilot Eric Boe, mission specialists Donald Pettit, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Steve Bowen, Shane Kimbrough and Sandra Magnus.

Expedition 17/18 flight engineer Gregory Chamitoff will return to Earth with the Endeavour crew and Magnus will remain on the International Space Station.

Included in the payload are additional sleeping quarters, an exercise device and other household-type equipment.

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